University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Hockey
F
/ Women's Hockey
D
/ Women's Hockey
F
/ Women's Hockey
D
/ Women's Hockey
D
/ Women's Hockey
F
/ Women's Hockey
G
/ Women's Hockey
F
/ Women's Hockey
F
/ Women's Hockey
Photo by: Wesley Dean
No. 1 Gophers Return Home to Battle Beavers
2/3/2022 3:19:00 PM | Women's Hockey
Top-Ranked Minnesota will play its final home series with sights on adding six points in a tight WCHA title race.
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 1 Golden Gopher women's hockey team returns home to face the Bemidji State Beavers this weekend. Friday's contest begins at 6:00 pm CST and Saturday's contest at 4:00 pm CST at Ridder Arena.
Last Time Out: Gophers Take Four Points from Buckeyes
The Gophers (20-7-1) completed their final road trip of the year with four crucial points in the WCHA title race. On Friday, Minnesota and Ohio State battled from opening puck drop to final buzzer. While both teams secured a point with the overtime result, it was the Buckeyes who came away with the full three points after a Schlepers game-winning goal. On Saturday, the Gophers stumbled out of the gate by getting outscored 1-0 and outshot 12-3 by the Buckeyes. The second period was a different story for Minnesota, as the team scored four goals in the first 8:18 of the middle frame to surge ahead. The rally began with sophomore defender Maggie Nicholson's first career goal 2:02 into the second. The Gophers hung on to a 5-3 victory to gain ground in the WCHA standings. Taylor Heise tallied three goals in the series, while Abigail Boreen recorded three assists. Lauren Bench made 30 saves in Friday's overtime defeat, while Makayla Pahl tallied 32 in Saturday's victory.
Scouting Bemidji State
After the Gophers' sweep of the Beavers in October, Bemidji State (10-13-3) has played .500 hockey with an 8-8-2 record. It has been sweep or be swept for the Beavers as of recent. Since Nov. 1, Bemidji State has swept Lindenwood, St. Cloud State, and St. Thomas and has been swept by Wisconsin and Minnesota Duluth twice. Minnesota leads the all-time series 84-9-7 and has won the last 12 meetings. At Ridder Arena, the Gophers are 38-5-3 all-time against the Beavers. Junior forward Reece Hunt (6g-11a), fifth-year forward Paige Beebe (8g-7a), and senior forward Grayson Myers (5g-9a) lead the Beavers in scoring.
First Period Emphasis
Through 28 games so far this season, Minnesota has scored first in 22 of them. The Maroon and Gold are 16-5-1 in games where they find the back of the net first and 4-2-0 in games in which the opponent scores first. Senior forward Taylor Heise leads the team with seven opening goals this season, including two goals inside the opening 40 seconds. The first 20 minutes have proven pivotal to Minnesota's success this season. When leading after the first period, the Gophers are 16-0-1. When trailing or tied after the first period, the Gophers are 4-7-0.
Maroon and Gold Firsts
On Saturday, Maggie Nicholson became the fifth Gopher this season to record this first career goal. In that same game, Madeline and Audrey Wethington each scored in the same for the first time in their collegiate careers. Minnesota became the first team in the country to earn victories against Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Duluth.
WCHA Honors
Senior forward Taylor Heise was named WCHA Forward of the Month for the second time this season. The Lake City, Minn. native recorded 15 points in the month (5g-9a) and led Minnesota in nearly every offensive category. Heise led all Minnesota forwards in ice time while not recording a single penalty.
Scoring Milestones on the Horizon
Senior Taylor Heise is Minnesota's active career scoring leader with 140 career points (58g-82a) in 123 career games. Redshirt senior Amy Potomak (45g-54a) is the second active Gopher to surpass 100 points. Senior Emily Oden (25g-57a) is the next closest to the century mark. Fifth-year Emily Brown (18g-60a) is closing in on 80 career points. Fifth-year Olivia Knowles (15g-53a) and senior Abigail Boreen (29g-38a) are nearing 70 career points.
25th Season
The 2021-22 season marks the 25th season of Gopher women's hockey. To celebrate the first quarter-century of Gopher women's hockey, Minnesota will wear special '25 seasons' patches on their jerseys among other celebrations throughout the season.
Quest for Eighth National Title Continues
Minnesota has won seven national championships (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016) and looks for a historic eighth title national crown in 2021-22.
Last Time Out: Gophers Take Four Points from Buckeyes
The Gophers (20-7-1) completed their final road trip of the year with four crucial points in the WCHA title race. On Friday, Minnesota and Ohio State battled from opening puck drop to final buzzer. While both teams secured a point with the overtime result, it was the Buckeyes who came away with the full three points after a Schlepers game-winning goal. On Saturday, the Gophers stumbled out of the gate by getting outscored 1-0 and outshot 12-3 by the Buckeyes. The second period was a different story for Minnesota, as the team scored four goals in the first 8:18 of the middle frame to surge ahead. The rally began with sophomore defender Maggie Nicholson's first career goal 2:02 into the second. The Gophers hung on to a 5-3 victory to gain ground in the WCHA standings. Taylor Heise tallied three goals in the series, while Abigail Boreen recorded three assists. Lauren Bench made 30 saves in Friday's overtime defeat, while Makayla Pahl tallied 32 in Saturday's victory.
Scouting Bemidji State
After the Gophers' sweep of the Beavers in October, Bemidji State (10-13-3) has played .500 hockey with an 8-8-2 record. It has been sweep or be swept for the Beavers as of recent. Since Nov. 1, Bemidji State has swept Lindenwood, St. Cloud State, and St. Thomas and has been swept by Wisconsin and Minnesota Duluth twice. Minnesota leads the all-time series 84-9-7 and has won the last 12 meetings. At Ridder Arena, the Gophers are 38-5-3 all-time against the Beavers. Junior forward Reece Hunt (6g-11a), fifth-year forward Paige Beebe (8g-7a), and senior forward Grayson Myers (5g-9a) lead the Beavers in scoring.
First Period Emphasis
Through 28 games so far this season, Minnesota has scored first in 22 of them. The Maroon and Gold are 16-5-1 in games where they find the back of the net first and 4-2-0 in games in which the opponent scores first. Senior forward Taylor Heise leads the team with seven opening goals this season, including two goals inside the opening 40 seconds. The first 20 minutes have proven pivotal to Minnesota's success this season. When leading after the first period, the Gophers are 16-0-1. When trailing or tied after the first period, the Gophers are 4-7-0.
Maroon and Gold Firsts
On Saturday, Maggie Nicholson became the fifth Gopher this season to record this first career goal. In that same game, Madeline and Audrey Wethington each scored in the same for the first time in their collegiate careers. Minnesota became the first team in the country to earn victories against Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Duluth.
WCHA Honors
Senior forward Taylor Heise was named WCHA Forward of the Month for the second time this season. The Lake City, Minn. native recorded 15 points in the month (5g-9a) and led Minnesota in nearly every offensive category. Heise led all Minnesota forwards in ice time while not recording a single penalty.
Scoring Milestones on the Horizon
Senior Taylor Heise is Minnesota's active career scoring leader with 140 career points (58g-82a) in 123 career games. Redshirt senior Amy Potomak (45g-54a) is the second active Gopher to surpass 100 points. Senior Emily Oden (25g-57a) is the next closest to the century mark. Fifth-year Emily Brown (18g-60a) is closing in on 80 career points. Fifth-year Olivia Knowles (15g-53a) and senior Abigail Boreen (29g-38a) are nearing 70 career points.
25th Season
The 2021-22 season marks the 25th season of Gopher women's hockey. To celebrate the first quarter-century of Gopher women's hockey, Minnesota will wear special '25 seasons' patches on their jerseys among other celebrations throughout the season.
Quest for Eighth National Title Continues
Minnesota has won seven national championships (2000, 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016) and looks for a historic eighth title national crown in 2021-22.
Highlights: Gophers 2, UMD 3
Friday, February 20
Highlights: Gophers 2, Ohio State 4
Friday, February 13
Highlights: Gophers 1, Ohio State 2
Saturday, February 07
Highlights: Gophers 1, St. Thomas 1
Saturday, February 07